Blackstone Ranger Guardian - Alicia Montgomery Page 0,74

see you guys around.” With a wave of her hand, she walked off in the direction of the entrance to the main building.

“You know,” Darcey said. “It’s not just her animal that’s the mystery here.”

“Really?” Anders asked. “What else could it be?”

The swan shifter’s brows drew together. “Does anyone know what ‘J.D.’ stands for?”

Everyone looked at each other, puzzled.

“Gabriel?” Temperance asked her fiancé.

“What’re you looking at me for?” The lion shifter raised his palms up. “Do I look like I’d know?”

“Not even you, Damon?” Anna Victoria asked, astonished.

“Er. Uh.” The chief scratched his head. “We’ve been friends for so long, at this point, I’m too afraid to ask.”

As they continued with their wreath making, more people poured into the cafeteria hall. The din began to grow louder, and at one point, Dutchy reached out and placed a hand over his. “Are you okay?” she asked.

The warmth of the pale blue eyes filled with concern was almost enough to chase away the anxiety building in him. While he wanted to reassure his mate that he was perfectly fine, he didn’t want to lie to her. Actually, he couldn’t, because surely, she could tell his unease through their mating bond. “I need some air.”

“You go ahead,” she said. “I’ll finish up and join you in a bit, okay?”

“Thanks.” He got up and left without a word. No one at the table questioned him or asked him where he was going or why he was leaving—after all, after Dutchy, these were the men who understood him the most.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he strolled outside toward the edge of the parking lot where he could see Contessa Peak in the distance. It was early yet, but with the days growing shorter, he knew the sun would descend behind the peak soon. He stood there, enjoying the silence and being alone, at least, until he felt a presence behind him.

“It is a beautiful sight,” Milos said as he stepped up beside Krieger.

“Sure is.” No, he wasn’t startled by the wolf shifter’s presence. What did catch him by surprise was the fact that Milos was dressed casually in jeans, boots, a T-shirt, and wool coat. He also wore a black patch over his scarred eye and had a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. “You leaving?”

He nodded. “There are things back home on Lykos I must attend to.”

“D’you gotta go right now?” Krieger cocked his head back toward the hall. “Caterers should be by with the food soon. Why don’t you stay for a bite?”

“I’m afraid I cannot. Petros is coming to pick me up to take me to the airport. But before that, I shall be dining with his family. I cannot leave without seeing my little Sofie.” The corner of his lips tugged up in the closest thing Krieger had seen to any emotion from the Greek wolf. “But I came here to give you some news. About the poachers and their victims.”

Krieger didn’t know this until Petros Thalassa had told him, but Milos had been part of the original Shifter Protection Agency back on the island of Lykos under their Alpha, Ari Stavros. He’d been injured during a mission and was thought to be dead, but their enemies actually captured and tortured him, which was what had sent him into a downward spiral.

“Petros tells me they have tracked down all the missing shifters,” Milos said. “They are in the process of repatriating all three.”

“H-how are they?” His teeth clenched, thinking about what those poor shifters might have gone through.

“Alive,” was all Milos said. “And as for the people responsible for their kidnapping, they have also been found and will soon be brought to justice.”

“Tell Petros if they need help …”

Milos nodded. “I shall pass the message along.”

“I should get back.” Krieger stuck his hand out. “Good luck to you, Milos.” It was hard to believe that Milos would be leaving, but he hoped this wasn’t goodbye forever.

Milos grabbed it and squeezed. “Same to you, my friend.”

“Sure I can’t convince you to come in for at least a beer?”

The wolf shifter turned to the mountains. “Thank you, but no. I should like some time to myself before Petros arrives.”

Krieger understood, not offended by the rebuff or the dismissal. “Sure thing, bud.”

Turning on his heel, he left the wolf shifter and headed back to the cafeteria. Even more people had come in now, but the fresh air outside had calmed his bear enough that he could walk in without any problem.

What his bear